Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Ball State Sig Eps and KD's Frightening People

Charities benefit from spooky eventYouthAIDS, Very Special Arts receive portions of profitsApril Abernathy

A Ball State University fraternity and sorority are frightening people as a way to raise money for charity.

Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity President Michael Zolezzi said the organization converted its basement into its annual haunted house, which it is running in a partnership with Kappa Delta sorority.

In previous years the haunted house ran the week before Halloween, Zolezzi said. This year, the Office of Student Life asked Sigma Phi Epsilon to open the haunted house during Family Weekend.

Zolezzi said Friday and Saturday had a large turnout.

Alyson Tennant, haunted house chairwoman for Kappa Delta sorority, said this was the third year her sorority teamed up with Sigma Phi Epsilon for the frightening fundraiser. She said a few rooms were added this year, including a spider room and a dead wedding room.

Members from her organization are required to work at least one four-hour shift or two two-hour shifts."Basically we scare people, take money and help set up," Tennant said.

The sorority will receive 15 percent of the proceeds, which it will donate to Very Special Arts of Muncie. "It's a really great cause because it's helping people in Muncie," Tennant said.

The remainder of the proceeds will be donated to YouthAIDS on behalf of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.